Pope Leo Meets Middle East Christian Leaders to Promote Unity Amid Global Conflicts
Istanbul, Nov 28 — Pope Leo will convene with Christian leaders from across the Middle East on Friday in Turkey, urging unity among centuries-old divided denominations during his first overseas trip as the head of the Catholic Church.
The visit marks a historic celebration of the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, held in modern-day Turkey, which established the Nicene Creed—a cornerstone of faith observed by most of the world’s 2.6 billion Christians. The ceremony serves as the centerpiece of Pope Leo’s four-day tour of predominantly Muslim Turkey, which runs from November 27 to December 2, with a subsequent visit to Lebanon.
Arriving on Thursday, Pope Leo, the first U.S. pontiff, addressed the scale of global unrest during an event with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, warning that a third world war is being “fought piecemeal” and stressing that the future of humanity is at stake.
“The world is witnessing unprecedented conflicts, and dialogue and unity are more vital than ever,” the pope said. His message is expected to focus on fostering solidarity among Christian communities in the Middle East while emphasizing peace, reconciliation, and interfaith cooperation.
Observers note that Pope Leo’s first overseas engagements will test his leadership on the global stage, as he seeks to navigate complex political and religious landscapes while encouraging ecumenical dialogue.
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